How to change the direction of your ceiling fan by hand:
- Turn off the ceiling fan. Many traditional models have cords or chains that hang down from the center. Each pull switches the ceiling fan’s speed and turns it off and on.
- WAIT FOR THE BLADES TO COMPLETELY STOP MOVING. Safety first! The blades can injure you if they’re still moving. Make sure they come to a complete stop.
- Get a sturdy ladder. Inspect it first to make sure your ladder is safe for use. You should have someone hold the base of the ladder for support.
- Clear furniture or other obstacles underneath the ceiling fan. You should be able to set up your ladder directly under the fan. You shouldn’t have to stretch to reach the switch.
- Set up the ladder. You want it close enough so that you can easily reach the blade direction switch.
- Locate the blade direction switch. Many ceiling fans have it on the housing, just under the blades. It may also be on top of the fan, above the blades.
- Flip the switch in the other direction. If it’s a vertical (up/down) switch, the down position is the ceiling fan direction for summer, and the up position is the direction for winter. (Think pushing air down and pulling air up.) For horizontal (side-to-side) switches, the left position should be the summer setting and the right position should be the winter setting.
- Turn the ceiling fan back on. Make sure you’re safely out of the way of the blades beforehand, though. If you choose the direction of the overhead fan in winter, make sure the speed is set to low.
- Confirm the blade direction. Look up to make sure the blades of the fan are moving in the right direction: counterclockwise for summer, clockwise for winter.
What ceiling fans are best for the winter and summertime?
The ceiling fan that’s best for your summer and winter use will depend on where it’s going and how much you want to spend. You’ll definitely want one with multiple speeds. You may want one that doubles as lighting, or that runs silently. And if you want to avoid climbing up and reversing the direction by hand, you should look for ceiling fans that have a wall-mounted or remote control.
Smaller rooms will be served well by smaller ceiling fans; bigger rooms will need larger, more powerful models and possibly multiple units. The larger the fan, the more energy used. To cut down on energy use, you may want to get a ceiling fan with an ENERGY STAR® rating, which is 40% more efficient than a traditional ceiling fan. If your ceiling fan has lights, use LED bulbs for increased energy efficiency. You could also save energy by turning fans off when you leave the room.
And if you’re looking for additional ways to reduce A/C use and improve energy efficiency, you may want to look into other types of fans. Summer energy efficiency tips can help you stay cool all season long.
Ceiling fan tips for each room of the house
Ceiling fans are suitable for indoor and outdoor use and can be mounted in nearly every room of your house. Size, type and installation will vary by location. Many also double as lighting, which may factor into your decision.
- Ceiling fans in a bedroom — Keeping air circulating at night will help keep you cool and get a better night’s sleep in summer. Light sleepers will want a model that runs silently. And unless you have a very large bedroom, you’ll probably want a smaller ceiling fan with a flush mount (anchored only a few inches below the ceiling).
- Ceiling fans in a bathroom or kitchen — Keeping air circulating in bathrooms and kitchens can help regulate temperature. However, those rooms often fill up with moisture, which can damage indoor-only models. Choose a ceiling fan with a damp rating for these rooms.
- Ceiling fans in the living room — You’ll want a larger model for your living room or great room. Ceiling fans are most effective when their blades are about 8 or 9 feet off the floor, so you may need a downrod mount. A downrod simply lowers the fan from the mount secured to the ceiling. Pro tip: If your ceiling fan has been idle for a long time, dust the blades before you start it up again. Your family will breathe easier without all those dust particles kicked up into the air.
- Ceiling fans in the dining room — Cool, circulating air can make for a pleasant summer dinner. But if you want a ceiling fan in your dining room, make sure you don’t install a more powerful fan than you need. You don’t want too much air blowing down on your family and guests. Look for a model with a low-speed option. Also, moving dining room furniture out of the way to change the ceiling fan direction can be taxing. If possible, you may want to consider a fan model that can be controlled remotely.
- Ceiling fans for outdoor use — If Mother Nature isn’t cooperating with a nice breeze, a ceiling fan can be just the thing. Just make sure you get one that’s wet-rated, which means it won’t be damaged by the elements. If the area you want to cool won’t be directly exposed to rain, snow or ice, you may be able to get away with a damp-rated ceiling fan. Fans with a dry rating are meant for indoor use only and should never be used where they’ll be exposed to any moisture.
Staying cooler when it’s hot and warmer when it’s cold — and cutting energy consumption year-round — can be as simple as knowing the right ceiling fan direction for summer or winter. But using fans is just one of many energy-saving tips for summer and winter. With some wise investment in the right equipment and some thoughtful changes to your daily routine, you can potentially lower your cooling and heating use during the year’s peak months.
